Swiss iPhone announcement raises eyebrows given rumors

Swisscom on Wednesday confirmed it will begin selling Apple's iPhone in Switzerland this year, possibly bolstering a recent report on the matter which also stated that the handset would arrive with video conferencing and other fresh features.

"The iPhone will be available later this year," the Swiss carrier wrote on a section of its website where customers can sign up to receive details at a later date. "We will inform you personally as soon as we have more news."

The announcement comes just one day after Swiss newspaper Le Matin reported that a deal between Apple and Swisscom had been finalized. However, the same report stated the agreement between the two parties was regarding a 3G iPhone that would offer two-way video chats, mobile TV, and GPS navigation.

Le Matin added that Swisscom plans call for the use of "attractive" incentives to lure new iPhone subscribers to its service, and that it will offer a high-end plan for pairing with mobile video and other live services.

Switzerland is the fifth new addition to Apple's European iPhone roster, joining the Greece, Portugal, Czech Republic and Italy, which saw their own iPhone deals made public a bit earlier this month.